Rabat: Riyad Mahrez scored twice as Algeria opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 3-0 win over 10-man Sudan in Rabat, according to the official website of the Olympic Games.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the 2019 champions, who had exited at the group stage in the last two tournaments, took an early lead when Mahrez curled a left-footed strike into the net after Hicham Boudaoui's backheel assist. Sudan struggled after Salaheldin Alhassan was sent off for a second yellow six minutes before halftime.

Mahrez doubled the advantage just after the hour mark, finishing neatly from Mohamed Amoura's through-ball. He became the oldest player at 34 years and 306 days to score an AFCON brace since Tunisia's Ziad Tlemcani did so at 34 and 282 days in 1998. Algeria sealed the victory late through Ibrahim Maza, who converted Baghdad Bounedjah's knockdown, marking Algeria's 100th goal in AFCON history.

Sudan goalkeeper Monged Elneel made two late saves to prevent further damage. Algeria top Group E on goal difference and remain in Rabat for Sunday's clash with Burkina Faso, while Sudan travel to Casablanca to face Equatorial Guinea in the group's second round of matches.

In Group E's earlier game, Burkina Faso staged a comeback to beat 10-man Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in Casablanca.